In this photo taken Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, Gov. Jerry Brown gestures during a news conference at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif. Brown, on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013 will propose his third state budget that must address an estimated $1.9 billion deficit.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

The swearing-in ceremony took place in the Senate Chambers at the State Capitol, with the oath of office administered by longtime friend Associate Justice George Nicholson, 3rd District Court of Appeals.

“It is a great honor and privilege to serve again,” said State Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber). “Serving the citizens of the North State has been and continues to be my priority. I will carry on my work to push for a state government that serves the people rather than itself and a business friendly economy. Too many willing and able Californians are still unemployed.”

Nielsen, who authored Marsy’s Law and was co-author of California’s Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights, vowed to continue his fight to change the recently passed prison realignment law – Assembly Bill 109 – which has put many dangerous criminals back on the streets.

“I will continue my efforts to stop the crime wave created by AB 109,” Nielsen added.

Nielsen will represent the citizens of the Fourth Senate District which includes the counties of Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Nevada, Placer, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity and Yuba Counties.

The Republican rancher and former vice chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee received 66.7 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s special run-off election to complete the term of former State Senator Doug LaMalfa, who was elected to the United States House of Representatives in November.

Following the administration of the oath of office, Nielsen thanked his constituents for their vote of confidence.

“I am humbled by the confidence voters have placed in me, and as always, I will strive to be their voice in the state capitol,” Nielsen concluded.

— The Union staff

Related Media

Nevada County’s state representatives offered reaction Thursday to Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget proposal that indicated the state of California is emerging into a more financially